"When I prayed, I would often be reminded of Saint John of the Cross when he was imprisoned in a pitch-black cell for a long period of time. What gave him strength to survive was focusing on the tiny chink of light that came into his cell each day."
Vocation
During a Columban seminary formation, the study of philosophy is followed by a spiritual year program. It is different. This is a non-academic year where there are no exams, and all throughout the period, the seminarian is especially guided by prayer. Mosese Yacalevu from Labasa, Fiji, shares his personal reflection of the thirty-day retreat that is considered the highlight in this part of seminary formation.
"In my journey of dialogue with other religions, I have embodied the insight that dialogue entails listening but I could only understand deeply by using my heart."
"The Novitiate Community of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, have been preparing and distributing cooked meals to the homeless."
Like in the time of Jesus, the lepers often feel abandoned by their family and excluded from the community. Due to the distance and the lack of money to defray travel expenses, a lot of them never get visitors.
"After hearing word that a lot of people within our community were losing jobs and going hungry, one of our parishioners wanted to start an 'Olla Comun' or soup kitchen, to help feed families who couldn’t afford to buy food."
A few of our Columban seminarians on formation in the Philippines provide a glimpse to their respective ministries.
"I feel and believe that the Spirit helped me to consider looking for congregations beyond my territory. It is the same Spirit who strengthens me and continues to lit my burning desire to serve."
“If there is a powerful symbol for someone who diligently follows, someone who completely puts his whole attention to someone or something and remains completely faithful no matter what the conditions may be, it is the sunflower."
As I reflected on the generosity of our Columban mission partners, I remembered the acts of kindness of two women I met during a pilgrimage walk that the Columban students made in 2012.
“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
"We feel that this is the best we can do at this difficult time. We want to let them know that they are not alone in facing this pandemic."
"If Christ is the center of our lives especially in our mission, we are able to find the hidden treasures in the field. It is only through the eyes of God that we are able to seek and find the lost."
When the entire island of Luzon in the Philippines was declared under community quarantine to control the spread of COVID-19, I was in my hometown — a small municipality in northern Luzon.
God’s presence often appears when we least we expect it. We see God in the eager face of a child who is still capable of smiling amidst his suffering. We encounter God who comes to us as a piece of bread in the mystery of the Mass, which we often ignore. We sometimes forget how to recognize the face of God, how to feel his presence. Despite all this, we should always remember that God is with us all the time.
The Columban Sisters in the Philippines celebrated their 80th Anniversary of missionary presence in the country on November 30, 2019 in San Juan, Metro Manila.
I thank God and Mama Mary for these “close encounters” with the Columban Missionaries. It is indeed a year to be grateful, being connected with the Columban Family since the late 1940s.
Holy week is always an important part my life because it is when I am most reminded of the passion and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a significant event in the Philippines, where the population is predominantly Catholic. However, even in Pakistan’s small Christian community, the Holy week is also a highlight in their lives.
Praying, fasting and almsgiving: three words that gave me meaningful and substantial insights in my missionary journey here in Khipro, Pakistan. These have always been the three pillars of Lent.
The village of Parola, Tondo is a shanty-town where the Pasig River and Manila bay waters meet. It has been five years since it was completely gutted by a huge fire.
Christmas always brings joy in my life. As a child, I always looked forward to the coming of that day. However, as time progressed, I realized that Christmas does not only bring joy but also an attached message with it. It is God, conveying and reminding me of my journey as a missionary.
People often think of hospitals as a place where only pain and suffering occur. Most people, including myself, would probably say that the hospital is the last place they want to be in. However, it is also a place where genuine love exists, as I discovered while working in the hospital apostolate.
With its long history, Cebu is undeniably the queen city of the South where the first seed of Christianity in the Philippines was planted. My first time in Cebu blessed me with new experiences when I became a delegate of the National Youth Day (NYD).
Fr. Chris Saenz is a native of Bellevue, Nebraska, and belongs to the Missionary Society of St. Columbans. He was ordained in 2000. He is presently assigned in the US.
It has been a year since I’ve been to the village of Kanni in Mandalay division and still, not a drop of rain has fallen as evidenced in the dry canals and dry land. There is an urgent sense of desperation for the rain to come soon because many have prepared the land for planting peanuts and sesame, two important crops of the village.
As I continued my journey in this side of the world, I came to realize that despite the diversity of religions there is always a prevailing human factor that is common: the capacity to love, care and pray for each other. This insight dawned on me during my stay in my parish.
I was a pilgrim of the NYD for a reason. I believe that I have encountered Christ in the people that I met: from my delegation, to my foster family, to Team Dominic Savio and to all NYD pilgrims. The National Youth Day in Cebu is over, but the journey for young individuals like me, as servants of the Lord, has just started.
It is a memorable feat, having another recruit ordained. No other feelings can describe it but happiness. I couldn’t hold my tears when Fr. Louie Ybañez started to give his blessing, especially to Bishop De La Peña and fellow priests during his ordination.
Father Peter was ordained to the priesthood, with two other priests and two deacons, on January 25 in China. He is the first to be ordained for the Missionary Society of St. Columban from Mainland China. This is a momentous event for the Columban Missionaries after a hundred years of responding to God’s call to mission.
This year 2019, we honor the Columban Missionaries who are celebrating their Diamond, Golden and Silver jubilees. May God grant them blessings of good health, peace and joy in their life of service.